Pie Pairing Guide: Beverages & Desserts

A great pie deserves a great pairing. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a special dessert, or just want to elevate your pie experience, the right beverage or accompaniment can transform good into extraordinary.

As head baker at Andy’s Pie, I’ve spent years thinking about (and tasting) what works best with our pies. Today, I’m sharing my comprehensive pairing guide to help you create perfect pie moments.

Sweet Pies: Beverage Pairings

Classic Apple Pie

Best Pairings:

• Hot black coffee: The bitter notes cut through the sweetness and complement the cinnamon
• Apple cider (hot or cold): Doubles down on apple flavor - sometimes more is more!
• Bourbon or whiskey: For adults only - the caramel notes in aged spirits complement spiced apples perfectly
• Earl Grey tea: The bergamot adds a citrus dimension that brightens the pie

Why it works: Apple pie is sweet but balanced with tartness and spice. You want beverages that either complement these flavors or provide contrast through bitterness or strength.

Berry Pies (Strawberry, Blueberry, Mixed Berry)

Best Pairings:

• Champagne or prosecco: The bubbles and acidity cut through sweetness and enhance fruit flavors
• Iced green tea: Light and refreshing, doesn’t compete with delicate berry notes
• Moscato wine: Sweet wine with berry flavors creates a harmonious match
• Lemonade: Citrus acidity complements berry sweetness

Why it works: Berry pies are bright and fresh. You want pairings that maintain that lightness and provide acid balance.

Chocolate Silk Pie

Best Pairings:

• Espresso: Classic pairing - bitter coffee and rich chocolate are made for each other
• Port wine: Sweet fortified wine matches chocolate’s intensity
• Whole milk: Sometimes simple is best - cuts richness and provides cleansing effect
• Peppermint tea: Refreshing contrast to heavy chocolate

Why it works: Chocolate silk pie is rich and decadent. You need strong flavors that can stand up to it or milk-based drinks that provide contrast.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Best Pairings:

• Iced black tea: Clean and slightly bitter, lets lemon shine
• Dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc): Crisp wine with citrus notes creates beautiful harmony
• Sparkling water with lime: Simple but effective - adds refreshment without competing
• Chamomile tea: Floral notes complement lemon without overpowering

Why it works: Lemon meringue is tart and bright. You want pairings that are equally light or add complexity through herbal/floral notes.

Pumpkin Spice Pie

Best Pairings:

• Spiced chai latte: Spice on spice - creates a warming, cozy experience
• Maple bourbon: The caramel and spice notes amplify autumn flavors
• Hot apple cider: Another autumn classic that complements pumpkin spice perfectly
• Coffee with cinnamon: Simple but effective enhancement

Why it works: Pumpkin pie is all about warm spices. Double down on those cozy flavors with similarly spiced beverages.

Savory Pies: Beverage Pairings

Chicken Pot Pie

Best Pairings:

• Chardonnay: Buttery white wine complements creamy filling
• Local craft beer (pale ale): Hops provide nice contrast to rich, savory flavors
• Iced lemon tea: Cuts through richness and refreshes the palate
• Sparkling water: Sometimes the best pairing is simple cleansing bubbles

Why it works: Chicken pot pie is creamy and rich. You need acidity or bubbles to cut through and refresh between bites.

Beef & Mushroom Pie

Best Pairings:

• Red wine (Cabernet or Merlot): Classic meat and wine pairing
• Stout or porter beer: Dark beer’s roasted flavors complement beef and mushrooms
• Black coffee: Bold and bitter cuts richness
• Tomato juice: Umami from tomatoes enhances meaty flavors

Why it works: Beef pie is hearty and savory. You want bold beverages that can match its intensity.

Dessert Accompaniments

Beyond beverages, the right accompaniment can complete your pie experience.

Ice Cream Pairings

Apple Pie: Vanilla (classic) or cinnamon Berry Pies: Vanilla or complementary berry flavor Chocolate Silk: Vanilla (contrast) or mint chocolate chip Lemon Meringue: Vanilla or raspberry Pumpkin Spice: Maple walnut or brown butter

Pro tip: Let ice cream sit for 5 minutes after scooping to soften slightly. The temperature contrast should be pleasant, not shocking.

Whipped Cream Variations

Basic whipped cream is wonderful, but try these variations:

• Cinnamon whipped cream: Add 1 tsp cinnamon per cup of cream (perfect for apple or pumpkin pie)
• Vanilla bean whipped cream: Use real vanilla bean instead of extract for luxury version
• Maple whipped cream: Add 2 tbsp maple syrup per cup of cream (autumn pies)
• Citrus whipped cream: Add lemon or orange zest (pairs with berry pies)

Cheese Pairings

Yes, cheese with pie! It’s a traditional combination that works beautifully:

Apple Pie + Sharp Cheddar: The savory, tangy cheese contrasts beautifully with sweet pie Pumpkin Pie + Cream Cheese: Creates a cheesecake-like experience Berry Pie + Mascarpone: Italian cream cheese adds luxurious richness

Setting Up a Pie Tasting Party

Want to really explore pairings? Host a pie tasting party!

How to Do It:

1. Select 3-4 pies with different flavor profiles (one fruit, one cream, one savory)

2. Prepare 2-3 beverage options per pie based on this guide

3. Cut small portions - tasting size, not full slices

4. Provide palate cleansers: Crackers, plain bread, or sparkling water between tastings

5. Create tasting cards: Let guests rate each pairing combination

6. Discover favorites: Everyone’s palate is different - finding your personal perfect pairing is part of the fun!

Seasonal Pairing Ideas

Spring: Strawberry rhubarb pie + iced green tea + fresh mint Summer: Berry pie + prosecco + lemon sorbet Autumn: Apple or pumpkin pie + hot cider + cinnamon whipped cream Winter: Chocolate pie + peppermint hot chocolate + vanilla ice cream

Andy’s Pie Cafe Pairings

At our outlets, we offer these curated pairings:

• Classic Combo: Any sweet pie slice + coffee/tea
• Afternoon Tea Set: Two pie slice samples + tea + scone
• Wine & Pie Night (Friday evenings): Featured pie + wine pairing
• Kids Combo: Pie slice + milk + fruit

Temperature Matters

The temperature at which you serve pie affects how it pairs with beverages:

Warm pie: Pairs well with cold beverages (ice cream, cold milk, iced tea) - temperature contrast is refreshing

Room temperature pie: Most versatile - pairs with anything

Chilled pie: Best with hot beverages (coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate) - creates warming contrast

My Personal Favorites

Everyone asks what I pair with pies. Here are my go-to combinations:

• Lazy Sunday: Apple pie + hot coffee + morning newspaper
• Celebration: Chocolate silk pie + champagne + strawberries
• Comfort Evening: Chicken pot pie + Chardonnay + crusty bread
• Summer Afternoon: Lemon meringue pie + iced black tea + mint

Create Your Own Pairings

Use this framework to experiment:

1. Consider the pie’s dominant flavor: Sweet, tart, rich, light?
2. Decide on contrast or complement: Do you want to echo flavors or provide contrast?
3. Think about texture: Does the pie need cutting (rich/heavy) or enhancement (light/delicate)?
4. Consider the occasion: Casual snack vs. dinner party affects appropriate pairings

Final Thoughts

The “perfect” pairing is the one you enjoy most. These are guidelines, not rules. Trust your palate and experiment. Some of the best pairings we’ve discovered came from customer suggestions or happy accidents.

The most important pairing? Good pie + good company. Everything else is just making a great thing even better.

Share Your Pairings

Have you discovered an amazing pie and beverage combination? Share it with us! Comment below or tag us @AndysPieSG on Instagram with #AndysPiePairing. We’re always looking for new ideas and love hearing what works for you.

Happy pairing!

Michelle Chen Head Baker, Andy’s Pie